Many years ago my sister was traveling home going north on icy, wintery roads in a small Toyota Camry. The route was familiar. About 30 minutes from our parents, she put her left turn signal on to exit off the highway. As she started to turn, the semi behind her had already began to pass at 70 mph. He didn’t see her turn signal and she didn’t see him alongside her. Instead of getting stuck under his semi like Chevy Chase in the movie Christmas Vacation, her car turned into his front passenger side fender and got lodged there. She got taken for a ride down the highway until he came to a stop.
This accident could have been so much worse. When she called my parents she said, “I got hit by a truck.” They assumed a Ford F-150 until they arrived to see an 18-wheeler. The police officer said, “This is a miracle. We don’t see people survive these accidents.”
Thankfully, she survived. The worst injury was whiplash. Her recovery took time, physical therapy, a tempurpedic mattress and massages.
Many of us took familiar routes “home” last year. Perhaps we took the route for granted. We trusted other drivers to see our signals. We felt confident on bad roads. We never expected to get hit or taken for a ride.
Here’s the thing …
Behind the wheel, you’re in control until you’re forced to brake.
Speaking of which, many of you are on Christmas break right now as we head into the new year. Are you wondering how to rally when you’re still recovering from the last 2 years. The inertia of the pandemic, rocky political climate, economic upheaval and forced isolation was just the beginning. It all caught up to us in 2022 without any warning. In many ways, I suspect the whiplash was worse than the ride.
Can I suggest something this week? Do nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
Take a break before you’re forced to brake. Self-care is more than bubble baths (my personal favorite), hot tea and massages. Although, I would recommend all of the above!
Self-care is also about:
Slowing down and saying “no”
Giving others a "signal” that you’re going to take another route
Phoning a friend to ask for help
Not making resolutions or setting goals
Celebrating what went right!
The recover time needed can be decided by your body’s ability to heal. Only you know the answer (see previous post).
Or, in the words of Brandie Carilie, “Let it Bend before you break.”